Girl in Trouble (An Alex Mercer Thriller Book 1)

by Stacy Claflin

  Ariana just needed to decide how she was going to get outside. The front door seemed like a bad idea—if anything would have an alarm, it would be that one. With a house this big—it seemed to go on forever—there had to be a back door somewhere.

  She crept around toward where she'd seen the small office before and came to a hallway. She followed it, finding more rooms.

  How big of a house did one guy need? It made her skin crawl, feeling like she might run into someone else. She shivered, but kept moving.

  The rumbling of a clothes drier sounded from farther down the hall. Her eyes lit up. There was a back door from the laundry room at Emily's house. Maybe this house had one, too.

  She whispered a quick prayer and hurried down the hall, not stopping until she came to the door from where the noise sounded. She turned the knob. A large laundry room greeted her, complete with a door to the outside.

  Woods

  Ariana braced herself and then ran for the door. If she couldn't get it open, she would break it down. She didn't care how. All she knew was that she needed to get out, and nothing was going to get in her way now. She'd come too far to let anything stop her.

  She unlocked a deadbolt. It was so easy on this side without the stupid pins and knife. She twisted the knob and the door opened!

  Several low beeps sounded and then an electronic female voice asked for a code.

  Her heart nearly burst through her ribcage.

  Ariana ran outside, slamming the door behind her. It would only be a matter of seconds before the system alerted Lloyd of her escape. She glanced around. The only thing she saw were the woods.

  A wailing noise sounded inside. The alarm. Lloyd would be awake now.

  She burst into a run, suddenly wishing she'd at least thought to put a hoodie over the thin, white nightgown. It was too late to worry about that. She ducked under some low-hanging branches and ran as fast as she could, darting around trees and thick bushes. She stumbled over a root sticking out of the ground.

  Ariana grabbed onto a tree trunk to balance herself and kept going. An owl hooted from above. A wolf howled somewhere. Maybe Lloyd wasn't the only thing she needed to worry about. It didn't matter. She would get out of the woods. The next bed she slept in would be her own.

  She tripped over another exposed root, this time sailing through the air and landing with a thud on her stomach. It knocked some air out of her lungs. A branch dug into her side. She sat up, gasping for air.

  A twig snapped somewhere.

  Ariana jumped up and ran. She hadn't made it this far just to get caught.

  "Jan!"

  Her heart sank. Lloyd wasn't far away. She pushed her legs to run faster. Her mouth dried, and she gasped for air. Her ribs and side hurt. It didn't matter. The only thing that did matter was getting home.

  Ariana used branches and trees to steady herself as she ran toward freedom. Something wet clung to her side. She wiped at it and glanced down at her hand. Blood. She'd bled straight through the nightgown.

  She kept running until her breathing grew labored and her muscles all burned, begging her to stop.

  "Jan," Lloyd called. "Where are you going?"

  He sounded closer.

  Ariana's body begged her to stop. The blood-soaked stain was growing bigger. Her muscles ached and burned more than before. There was no other choice but to keep going. Whether the woods went on for miles or she was almost to the other end, it didn't matter. She had to keep going until she reached a road.

  Then she would probably have to keep going. She'd have to find a police station. Or at least someone with a phone.

  She had to get out of the woods first.

  "Jan! Why are you running from me?"

  Tears stung Ariana's eyes. She hoped he didn't have that horrible-smelling towel he'd used back in the van to make her sleep. The thought of that only made her press on. She ran, continuing to dart around trees, now more careful of the roots. Her side hurt, but she did her best to ignore it.

  She could hear leaves crunching and twigs snapping behind her as he followed. He had to have been able to hear the same from her. Her stomach tightened.

  Ariana looked around for a bush to hide in. That was probably her best bet. She was tired and sore, and he could probably outrun her. Most of the shrubbery had sharp leaves and were small.

  Maybe she could climb a tree instead. But then he would just have to look up to find her and the moonlight, though weak from the clouds, was shining down through the trees in places.

  "Jan, come back! We need to talk." He sounded even closer than his footsteps made him seem.

  A bush bigger than the rest came into view. It wasn't super big, either, but maybe it would do the job. She pressed on and then jumped in, scratching her arms and face on leaves and twigs. Ariana pulled her legs and pulled them close, wrapping her arms around them.

  Her entire body shivered as she sat there. Even her teeth chattered. She tried to hold still. Once Lloyd left, she could come out and get away. She couldn't now. Not with him so close.

  The sounds of his footsteps slowed not far away. "Jan?"

  Ariana held her breath and tried to stop shaking. She could see a few leaves moving because of her.

  His steps slowed even more. He walked around, staying close to the bush.

  He stopped in front of it. "Jan."

  Chase

  Ariana held perfectly still. Not a single leaf on the bush moved. Her heart pounded and her pulse raced. She was covered in sweat, despite the cold air. Her side ached more than before.

  "Jan, it's time to stop playing hide and seek. You need to come home. It's where you belong."

  He paced around, never moving far from where Ariana waited.

  "The game's over, Jan. You need to give up."

  Never. She'd never give up until she was home, safe and sound.

  Lloyd continued pacing near the bush. He had to know where she was, or at least that she was close.

  "Come on out," he said, his voice even and smooth. "Before we have to discuss consequences."

  Ariana swallowed.

  He took two more steps and stopped directly in front of the bush. "You know how nice your brother is, but that can change in a heartbeat. You're walking the line now."

  A cold breeze blew by. She shivered, determined to stay there in the shrub as long as she could. Her strength was already starting to rebuild. Another few minutes and she could probably run again. Although, it would be a lot easier if he would go somewhere else.

  Raindrops plopped on nearby leaves. A few more and then they sounded all around, splashing on her.

  "Come on out, Jan," Lloyd said, sounding annoyed. "It's starting to rain and—"

  Thunder cracked in the distance.

  "A storm is brewing. We'd best get inside."

  Rain pounded down harder, making noise as it hit leaves and dirt. Despite being protected by the bush, Ariana was getting soaked.

  Lloyd continued pacing, never moving far from the shrub. He was close enough that she could probably reach out and grab his ankles.

  Her mouth went dry at the thought. Could she trip him and them run?

  The entire area lit up with light.

  He stopped, looking right at the shrub Ariana hid in. A loud crack of thunder sounded. She thought her eardrums would break.

  Lloyd stepped closer to the bush. "I knew you were close."

  Ariana screamed and then scrambled out of the other side of the shrub. Sharp branches poked and scratched. Rain came down even harder. Lightning lit everything up again.

  She broke free of the bush and ran, covering her ears. Thunder boomed, making her entire body vibrate. The rain came down harder and faster. The ground was slippery as she ran.

  Ariana glanced back. He wasn't far behind.

  "Why are you running from me?" he called. "I thought you were happy to be back."

  She turned back around and nearly ran into a low-hanging branch. Ariana ducked and kept running. Her feet kept sliding out.r />
  The woods lit up again. She took advantage of the moment to take everything in. She covered her ears and ran faster, avoiding all the trees and roots. Thunder boomed, but this time it didn't feel so harsh. Maybe the storm was already moving away.

  That had to be a good sign, right?

  She ran as fast as she could, finding it hard for her eyes to adjust to the dark after the bright flashes of light. Her feet slid out, but she managed to catch her balance and keep running.

  "Jan, stop! This is ridiculous."

  He thought the chase was ridiculous? What about taking her from her home and making her live someone else's life? That was what was crazy.

  Finally, her eyes readjusted to the dark. She picked up her pace and ran around a cluster of trees, hoping to finally lose him. Not that she really expected it to be that easy. He was obviously not going to give up unless she got away or—she wasn't going to think about the other option.

  Bright light blinded her once again. She turned to the right to avoid a tree, but her foot caught on an exposed root. Her arms flew out as she tried to regain her balance. Her feet slid in a mud puddle, flying out from underneath her.

  The ground was coming at her.

  She landed with a hard thud. A rock dug into her arm. Her head hit the root. Ariana moaned and tried to pull herself up, but the wet ground fought against her.

  Fingers wrapped around her shoulders. Lloyd helped her to stand. "All of this was so unnecessary."

  Ariana struggled to get away, but he held onto her all the tighter.

  "It's over, Jan. Come on." He sounded sad. His voice didn't hold a hint of anger. Even his grip, though strong, wasn't harsh.

  He led her through the woods in silence as the rain continued to pour down. Lightning and thunder came one more time, but nowhere near as bright or loud.

  Lloyd stopped just outside the woods. "I wish you hadn't done that."

  He guided her back into the house. They came into the laundry room.

  "Now you know about the other part of the house."

  She gulped.

  "I didn't want you to know about that. I didn't want to frighten you."

  Ariana stared at him, unable to respond.

  "Take off those ruined clothes."

  Her eyes widened.

  "I won't look. Just don't try to get away again. Okay?"

  She continued staring at him.

  "Okay?" His voice was harsher.

  Ariana nodded.

  "Good." He turned around. "Now hurry, and we'll get you upstairs."

  Shaking, she slid off the wet, muddy shoes. She watched him, making sure he wouldn't turn around. He stood perfectly still. She pulled off the soaked, mud-covered, bloody nightgown. It stuck to the gash in her side. She managed not to cry out as it pulled away.

  "Are you done yet?" Lloyd asked.

  "Yes." Her voice had never sounded smaller.

  "Follow me." He lifted a hand. "And don't try anything. You get your privacy as long as you do as you're told."

  "Okay."

  Lloyd led her through the bottom level and up the stairs to the time warp area. She followed him to the bathroom. He kept his word, not turning around. "Get cleaned up. I'll find you some clean clothes and will set them out here by the door."

  She went into the bathroom and locked the door. Her emotions all exploded at once. She slid onto the floor and sobbed silently.

  Changes

  Ariana scrubbed off the last of the mud, rinsed the soap, and turned off the shower. She grabbed the towel from the rack and wrapped it around herself, wishing she could stay there for the rest of time. Or at least until Lloyd had to leave—or maybe die—and then she could get away for real.

  "Hurry up," he called from the other side of the door.

  "I am." She dried off, cringing as the towel ran over her cuts, and put on the striped pajama set he'd picked out for her.

  "Are you about done? We need to talk."

  Her stomach twisted. "Almost." She ran the brush through her hair and stared at herself in the mirror. Her face was scratched, but it was nothing compared to the gash on her side or the scrapes on her arms.

  "Come on, Jan."

  Ariana took a deep breath and frowned. So much for staying in the bathroom forever. She opened the door.

  "Let me see your cut."

  She stared at him.

  He gestured toward her side.

  "It's fine."

  "I need to make sure it isn't going to get infected. Let me see."

  Sighing, she raised the side of her shirt. Hopefully, he would leave it alone after this.

  Lloyd pressed a finger next to it. Pain shot through the gash. Ariana winced.

  "I'm going to have to put on some ointment. First, we need to disinfect it." He dug around the cabinet and pulled out a handful of items. He dabbed some yellow liquid onto a cotton ball and rubbed it on her wound. It made the cut hurt even worse than before.

  It took all of her control not to cry out. The stuff stung worse than the actual fall and washing it with soap combined.

  "Hold still," he muttered and finally pulled the cotton ball away. "Just let that dry."

  She nodded, not even able to speak.

  Lloyd fanned it and then applied some white cream and finally a Band Aid. "Anything else I should look at?"

  Ariana shook her head.

  "Okay. Follow me." He led her to the rec room and indicated for her to sit on the couch.

  She hoped he would put on a movie, but knew that would never happen. Not after her escape.

  Everything had changed, and she was about to find out how.

  Lloyd sat next to her, but didn't say anything.

  Her breathing grew labored. She wished he would just tell her.

  Finally, he turned to her. "I'm really disappointed."

  She swallowed.

  "Everything was going so well. What did I do that made you so unhappy?"

  Ariana's eyes widened.

  "What?" He slammed his fist on the coffee table.

  She jumped.

  "I gave you a birthday party. Made your favorite foods. I've even been planning a Halloween party for you. But none of that was good enough for you?"

  Ariana glanced away.

  "Look at me when I'm talking to you!"

  She turned back to him and held his gaze.

  "It wasn't good enough?"

  Ariana shrugged.

  "What would it take?"

  She blinked several times. Did he really not know?

  He hit the coffee table again. "I did everything right, but it's still not good enough. Why is that?"

  Ariana bit her lower lip. He would be mad no matter what she said.

  "I really thought this was going to be it. That you were the one."

  He glanced away and ran his fingers over the little hair he had and let out a long, slow breath.

  Ariana shook, but tried to stop. She didn't want to give him any extra reason to be angry with her.

  Lloyd turned to her, his eyes misty. "I was going to buy you a kitten."

  "A kitten?" she exclaimed.

  "You've always wanted one. Mom and Dad always said no. Remember what Dad used to say?"

  Ariana shook her head.

  "He would say, 'Stop flushing the toilets. There, now you have a cat—a house that smells like crap.' That's what he used to always say."

  "Oh."

  "Remember?"

  Ariana nodded.

  "But I wanted to give you a kitten."

  "Wh-what's going to happen now?" she asked.

  Lloyd frowned, but remained silent.

  Ariana took a deep breath.

  "The past is going to have to repeat itself." His tone told her that couldn't be good.

  He leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "You don't remember, do you?"

  "No."

  "You never do."

  Chills ran down her back. They sat in silence for what felt like forever. Finally, he sat up straight and looked at he
r.

  Ariana played with a button on her shirt.

  "Have you forgotten the first bad Halloween?"

  She nodded.

  "I can't blame you. It was traumatic for all of us. That's why Mom eventually killed herself and Dad turned to the drink. He became a mean, evil bastard. Worse even than you ever saw. They blamed me for Mom's death. But it wasn't my fault. It wasn't. I tried to stop you from dying. I did everything I could. That year, and every year since. I just can't change the past."

  Ariana stared at him. What did he mean, and what did any of this have to do with her?

  He twisted his shirtsleeve. "I really thought we'd be able to start over. Live our lives like we should have so many years ago. But now you've gone and run away from me. Instead of a Halloween party, we're forced to relive that night long ago." His voice cracked. "I really didn't want to do that."

  "W-we don't have to."

  Lloyd shook his head. "We do. I'll have to try again next year."

  The room spun around her. "I'll be good. I promise."

  He rubbed his eyes. "It's too late now."

  "It's not."

  Lloyd turned to her. "But it is. There'll be no party this year."

  "What are you going to do?" She squeezed the cushion, not sure she could bear hearing the answer.

  He held her gaze, not saying anything for a moment. "Same as every other year. We relive that night. I'll try to save you, but it won't work. You'll drown. Mom will fall into her depression and get sent to the sanatorium. She'll hang herself with her bedsheets. Dad will beat me and tell me what a waste of space I am. And then…" His voice trailed off and he shook. "Forget about that part. Then next year, I'll try to find you again. See if I can finally change the past. I can't keep reliving it. It won't go away. It needs to, but it won't."

  Dread washed through Ariana.

  Lloyd rose. "Come on. It's late. We both need our rest."

  She got up, and he put his hand around her arm and led her to the bedroom, his head hanging. "I just wish it didn't have to be this way. I really thought you were the one. That this time would be different."